apan is an island nation that is both rich in history, and on the leading edge of modern industry and culture. Its 6,000-plus islands, located east of the Sea of Japan and east of China, Russia, and North and South Korea, are home to lush vegetation, a mix of wildlife, snowcapped mountains, and ruins and artifacts of an ancient civilization. Japan’s history has often been one characterized by expansionism. However, after the destruction of World War II, Japan has remade itself into a country that is consistently peaceful and focused on economic and technological advancement.